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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0550.006 2020-2022 l �Il Ion Cow,550 VIBRANT x Maile Medeiros David, Chair Aaron S.Y.Chung,Vice Chair Hawaii County Council I County of Hawaii Dear Chair David,Vice Chair Chung and members of the County Council, j I I submit this written testimony in strong support of Bill 101 that AMENDS THE STATE LAND USE BOUNDARIES MAPS FOR THE COUNTY OF HAWAII BY CHANGING THE DISTRICT CLASSIFICATION FROM THE AGRICULTURAL TO THE URBAN DISTRICT AT WAIAKEA,SOUTH HILO, HAWAII,COVERED BY TAX MAP KEY: 2-4-001: 168. This action would allow the Hawaii Island Community Development Corporation (HICDC)to develop ninety(90)affordable housing units and other related services. i In 2019, a Small and Might (SAM)group of Hawaii Island community change leaders came together with a common why, a belief that increasing wealth and wellbeing on Hawai'i requires 'auamo kuleana,or the active agency to create collective impact.The SAM group visited regions around the island and asked community to share aspects of their vision of a vibrant Hawaii.Specificly related to housing,these are the words of community: • Everyone should have a home • Housing: affordable and accessible • Attainable housing --� • Housing that is"perfect"for the individual • Homes that serve as safe spaces • Affordable housing • Access to housing • Housing access to within community(reduce commute times) • Spectrum of housing options The development and project being pursued by the HICDC would provide affordable housing at a price or cost attainable for members and families in our community with a household income of up to sixty percent(60%)of the area median income or AMI. • Hawai'i County 2021 AM 1: $78,800 • 60%of AMI: $47,280 • Max rent and utilities charged to remain below shelter burden: $1,182/month In October 2021,the State of Hawai'i published the 2020 Employment and Payrolls in Hawai'i Report which shows that 99.5%of the employment opportunities in Hawaii County have an average annual wage that is below the AMI. Additionally,63°I of those jobs have an average annual wage of 60%or below the AMI. Employment and Wages Covered by HI Employment Security Law and Unemployment Compensation Average Employment Average Annual Wage Accommodation and Food Services 8277 $34,331 Retail Trade 9043 $34,388 Comm. No.-� —t1. 0.To: --- e . D Re FEB - 9 2022 Administrative and Waste Services 3965 $35,269 Arts,Entertainment,and Recreation 1105 $39,317 Natural Resources and Mining 2293 $40,287 Other Services Except Public Administration 420 $41,249 Manufacturing 1247 $41,393 Service Providing 4832 $43,107 Health Care and Social Assistance 7455 $45,111 Transportation and Warehousing 2006 $46,592 Educational Services 1116 $49,899 Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 1112 $51,050 Federal 13793 $63,278 Construction 591 $65,304 Information 534 $70,000 State 1349 $71,495 Professional and Technical Services 1539 $71,506- County 2780 $71,549 Finance and Insurance 1211 $74,750 Management of Companies and Enterprises 281 $79,317 Link toreport here: Based on these figures and data,this is representative of jobs or positions such as food service and hospitality industry workers, health care and education system employees,and general commodities retail businesses. These fundamental service provider positions are essential to the social and economic stability of our community and many of those employers are currently facing challenges with recruitment and retention. The establishment ofmuch needed housing for this demographic within the urban center of Hilo will afford those prospective residents with opportunities beyond just housing to include access to education, healthcare, childcare, and gainful employment. Further,the location of the proposed project may likely reduce their transportation burdens and afford residents with options and choices that span a broad spectrum of transportation modes. Lastly,the location and planned project site will support the concept of infilling or increasing density in appropriate areas and reduce urban sprawl. Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of Bill 101. strongly encourage your passage of this measure. With aloha, ]q4'ric�|keda ' Executive Director VibrantHawmi'i